Definition of 'sentiment'

Word Frequency

sentiment

(sentɪmənt )

Word forms: plural sentiments

1. variable noun

A sentiment that people have is an attitude which is based on their thoughts and feelings.

Public sentiment rapidly turned anti-American.

He's found growing sentiment for military action.

...nationalist sentiments that threaten to split the country.

2. countable noun

A sentiment is an idea or feeling that someone expresses in words.

I must agree with the sentiments expressed by the previous speaker.

The Foreign Secretary echoed this sentiment.

Synonyms: feeling, thought, idea, view More Synonyms of sentiment

3. uncountable noun

Sentiment is feelings such as pity or love, especially for things in the past, and may be considered exaggerated and foolish.

Laura kept that letter out of sentiment.

The coronation was an occasion for extravagant myth and sentiment.

Synonyms: sentimentality, emotion, tenderness, romanticism More Synonyms of sentiment

Video: pronunciation of 'sentiment'

Word Frequency

sentiment in British

(ˈsɛntɪmənt )

noun

susceptibility to tender, delicate, or romantic emotion

she has too much sentiment to be successful

2. (often plural)

a thought, opinion, or attitude

exaggerated, overindulged, or mawkish feeling or emotion

an expression of response to deep feeling, esp in art or literature

a feeling, emotion, or awareness

a sentiment of pity

a mental attitude modified or determined by feeling

there is a strong revolutionary sentiment in his country

a feeling conveyed, or intended to be conveyed, in words

Word origin of 'sentiment'

C17: from Medieval Latin sentīmentum, from Latin sentīre to feel

Word Frequency

sentiment in American

(ˈsɛntəmənt ; senˈtəmənt)

noun

a complex combination of feelings and opinions as a basis for action or judgment; general emotionalized attitude

the sentiment of romantic love

a thought, opinion, judgment, or attitude, usually the result of careful consideration, but often colored with emotion

often used in pl.

susceptibility to feeling or to emotional appeal; sensibility

appeal to the emotions in literature or art; expression of delicate, sensitive feeling

sentimentality; maudlin emotion

a short sentence or aphorism expressing some thought or wish, as in a toast

the thought or meaning behind something said, done, or given, as distinct from the literal statement, act, etc.

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈfeeling, oˈpinion

Word origin of 'sentiment'

ME sentement < OFr < ML sentimentum < L sentire, to feel, sense

Example sentences containing 'sentiment'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Reason in economics has given way to sentiment and emotion. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The trouble is that this is a recipe for instability and the rise of nationalist sentiment. The Sun (2012)Such dismal consumer sentiment may come as a surprise to retailers. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The academy became host to people who shared similar sentiments and many were keen to express them. Times, Sunday Times (2008)He said that negative sentiment could continue throughout the week. Times, Sunday Times (2009)His clear guidance was credited with stabilising economic sentiment. Times, Sunday Times (2013)She took a breezy attitude to religious sentiment. Times, Sunday Times (2015) Nationalist sentiment also entails reluctance to acknowledge obvious facts. Frank Welsh THE FOUR NATIONS: A History of the United Kingdom (2002)Other men in the town expressed similar sentiments. Times, Sunday Times (2011)His lack of religious sentiment was the principal source of discord with his wife. Brian Thompson DEVASTATING EDEN: The Search for Utopia in America (2004)You need other stuff, like risk appetite and sentiment and emotion. Times, Sunday Times (2015)But don't you think sentiment may be carried too far? Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters (1864)As a contrarian, he sees negative sentiment as a buy signal. Times, Sunday Times (2006)German economic sentiment is forecast to have edged up slightly in September. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The Japanese have also historically had a warm sentiment for a country seen as quietly friendly to them. Times, Sunday Times (2007)This, of course, is hardly a revolutionary sentiment. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Sentiment in the country 's residential sector has improved sharply this year, with house prices rising and sales transaction volumes increasing. Times, Sunday Times (2013)A closely followed index of German business sentiment failed to live up to expectations, deepening the cloud over the global economy. Times, Sunday Times (2012)I think I have hurt the sentiments of my people. Times, Sunday Times (2012)